Method and apparatus for handling a plurality of yarns



METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING A PLURALITY 0F YARNS Filed Oct, 1-5. 1955 T- S. MAYNER Sept. 15, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mer, ovng T. S. MAYNER Sept. 15, 1959 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING A PLURALITY OF YARNS Filed on. 1a. 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lfiven tovi T mas S agner", b9 P 2:

Hi5 t orneg METHOD tinuously separating the yarns in said strand and collecting them into individual packages.

Handling a plurality of multi-filament yarns combined into a single strand is advantageous in that yarn handling and processing apparatuses can be more economically employed since more than one yam can be processed simultaneously upon apparatuses previously limited to the treatment of a single yarn. Also, lower denier yarns that are impractical to produce if processed as individual yarns because of their high susceptibility to filament breaks, can be more advantageously handled during processing by being combined into a higherdenier strand.

A number of methods have been proposed for the handling of a plurality of yarns through processing treatments. Generally, these proposals teach that the individual yarns must be maintained apart and out of contact with each other. Those methods with involve the treatment of a plurality of yarns while passing over a helix forming and advancing device are particularly careful to prevent the overlapping of turns while the thread is being advanced. This handling requires that additional means he used to maintain this separation and that the advancing device be of a critical construction so as to prevent the running together of the separate yarns.

In accordance with this invention a plurality of yarns (two or more) are twisted together and advanced as a substantially united single strand through one or more processing treatments. After the strand has been completely processed, it is untwisted, separated into its component individual yarns and in a continuous manner collected into separate packages. 7

.The twisting together of the strand is particularly advantageous in that as a result any filaments of yarn which break during processing are carried along within the strand. This prevents the broken filaments from collecting on the processing apparatus and causing additional filaments of yarn to break. Methods of handling have been previously proposed which show the twisting together of a plurality of yarns prior to treatment but these methods are all limited to the production of a twisted cord.

The plurality of yarns making up the composite strand can be supplied either from packages of already formed yarn or from an extruding spinning head. Some means must be used to distinguish the component yarns before they are grouped into the strand so that they may be identified and separated after processing.- One such means is imparting an individual twist to each of the yarns. To impart this twist to the yarns when formed yarn packages are used on which the yarn has no twist, the individual yarnsare taken over the end of the package. If the yarn is supplied directly as it is spun, the individual spinnerettes are revolved to impart a twist to the formed yarns.

Other means may be readily employed to identify the component yarns, such as, fugitive dyes, self-crimping additives, etc. Incorporating a twist in the individual United States Patent .itating the separation of the yarns.

2,903,841 Patented Sept. 15, 1959 yarns, however, provides an advantageous means of facil- By merely thrusting a sharp pointed-instrument into the composite strand after it has been untwisted, the twist in the individual yarns is caused to back-up against the instrument and effect a containment of the filaments into their own yarn bundle. Subsequent repetition of this procedure results in the separation of the strand into all of its component yarns.

The twisted strand from either source is subjected to a processing treatment or treatments either as a tow.

through a series of processing baths or as a helix advanced over a series of thread-storing, thread-advancing reels to which the treating liquids are applied. The nature and number of treatments accorded the twisted strand is limited only by the yarn being processed and the final characteristics required.

The twisted strand formed of multi-filament yarns after having been fully processed is then separated into its component yarns by any suitable method depending upon the means used originally to distinguish the individual yarns. The twisted strand is continuously untwisted, while the component yarns are simultaneously separated and collected on individual spindles mounted on a device that revolves in the opposite direction to the twist. The takeup spindles simultaneously revolve about their own axes and orbit about the axis of their mounting thus taking-up. the yarn as the twist is removed from the strand. The take-up device is adjusted so that the twist in the strand desired during processing is entirely removed.

The advantages of the method and apparatus of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings where:

Figure 1 represents a continuous yarn handling and treating apparatus.

Figure 2 represents a portion of the yarn twisted together in a single strand.

Figure 3 shows an apparatus for twisting a plurality of yarns together as they are spun.

Figure 4 represents a plan view of the strand untwisting and take-up apparatus shown in Figure l.

Figure 5 shows a spinning apparatus adapted to im- I part a twist to each individual yarn and then twist the a plurality of yarn packages 10, 11, 12 positioned on a rotating creel 13 which is mounted on support 15 and driven through companion gears 16 and shaft 18 by motor 19. The yarns 21, 22, 23 are taken off over the ends of packages 10, 11, 12 respectively through thread guides 25, 26, 27 to thus impart a twist in each individual yarn. The individually twisted yarns 21, 22, 23 are collected at the thread guide 28 and by virtue of the rotation of the creel 13 are twisted together at a rate of approximately one turn every 200 to 600 inches of travel to form a twisted unitary thread bundle or strand 29, as shown in Figure. 2.

The yarn bundle or strand 29 is conducted through thread guide 30 on to reel 32 for further advance in the form of a helix. From reel 32 the strand 29 is led to and advanced over subsequent processing reels 35, 3B,

etc. and thereafter conducted to the take-up apparatus 40.

The processing reels 32, 35, 38, etc. are preferably constructed on the principles disclosed in the Kuebusch Patent 2,210,914. The final processing reel 38 is constructed for the circulation of steam through its interior to dry the yarn, preferably as shown and described in Corey Patent 2,413,217. Thread and the like are advanced over such reels in the form of helices which, present substantial lengths of thread for processing. Although a preference is indicated for Knebusch reel, other reels, either of a unitary construction or consisting of spaced and skewed rollers can be advantageously utilized, since each. is adapted to form a store of thread in the shape of a helix for processing. The method of proccssing is not to be limited to that carried out by the use of reels but also includes passing the yarn as a tow through a series of treating baths in a continuous manner.

The strand 29 formed of the three yarns 21, 22, 23 while on the reels 32, 35, 38. and while in the form of a helix, is subjected to any of the desired liquid treatments that ordinarily are applied to yarns. The treating liquids are applied through tubes 33, 36, and the liquids spread over to blanket the strand helix so that each yarn is equally subjected to the treatment and each yarn upon subsequent separation will have uniformly similar final characteristics. The final treatment on the strand after liquid processing is that of drying which is performed on the last reel 38 through which steam is circulated.

In order that the individual yarns 21, 22, 23 can be taken up in separate packages, the twist imparted to form strand 29 is removed. The take-up apparatus 40, as shown in Figures 1 and 4, designed to accomplish this is composed of a support 42 in which the support shaft 43 is fixedly located. By means of anti-friction bearings 45, shaft sleeve 46 is mounted on support shaft 43 so that it is free to revolve. Shaft sleeve 46 is driven through ring gear 47, by gear 48 and through the variable speed reducer 49 and motor 50. Fixedly mounted on shaft sleeve 46 so that they revolve with it are platform 52 and hub 55, fixed in place by means of keys 53 and 56 respectively. Mounted above the hub but on the sup- .port shaft 43 is the ring gear 58 held stationary by key 59 so that it does not revolve. The whole assembly is .held in place by a nut 60 fastened onto the threaded end of the support shaft 43. I

The composite strand 29 is conducted from the last reel 38 through thread guide 62 which is aflixed to the platform 52 by means of mount 63, and located with the guide eye on the axis of rotation of the take-up apparatus 40. At this point the twist in the strand is removed and the yarns assume a generally parallel relation. The yarns are divided out into the individual yarns 21, 22, 23 and separately led to traversing guides 65, 66, 67 for collection on take-up packages 68, 69, 70. The traversing guides 65, 66, 67 are caused to reciprocate and lay the yarn on the revolving take-up bobbins 68, 69, 70 by means of traversing boxes 72, 73, 74 driven through gear boxes 76, .77, 78 by motors 80, 81, 82. The take-up packages 68, 69, 70 are located on spindles 84, 85, 86 which are mounted on hub 55 positioned in antifriction bearings (not shown) and held in place by retainers 87, 88, 89. As the assembly revolves about the support shaft 43, the stationary gear 58 causes the gears 91,92, 93 affixed to the spindles 84, 85, 86 to be turned and to rotate the yarn packages 84, 85, 86. Thus, the spindles simultaneously revolve about their own axis and orbit with the shaft sleeve 46 about the support shaft 43.

In Figure 3 of the drawings there is shown a modification of the source of supply yarns. The head of revvolving spin tube 100 is submerged in a coagulating-regenerating bath 101 and driven through gear 103 by main drive gear 104. In the head of the revolving spin tube 100 are located a plurality of extrusion jets or spinnerettes 106, 107, 108 from which issue a plurality of multi-filament individual yarns 110, 111, 112. The yarns 110, 111, 112 are collected and conducted around rod guide 114 and by virtue of the rotation of spin tube 100 are twisted together to form strand 115. Strand 115 may then be conducted through processing treatments, dried, separated, and collected as individual yarns in substantially the same manner as strand 29 was handled in Figure 1.

In Figure of the drawings there is shown another modification of the source of supply of yarns which are formed into a strand for processing and subsequent takeup as individual yarns. The head of revolving spin tube 125 is submerged in a coagulating-regenerating bath 126 and driven through gear 128 by main drive gear 129. In the head of the revolving spin tube 125 there are located a plurality of extrusion jets or spinncrettcs 131, 132, 133 from which issue a plurality of multi-filament individual yarns 134, 135, 136. Yarns 134, 135, 136 are collected and conducted around rod guide 138 andby virtue of the rotation of spin tube 125 are twisted together to form strand 139. Spinnercttes 131, 132 133 are supplied with a yarn forming solution through tubes 141, 142, 143 to which are rigidly afiixed gears 144, 145, 146. Gears 144, 145, 146 mesh with gear 148 which is held stationary by support 149 so that as spin tube 125 revolves the individual supply tubes 141, 142, 143 are caused to rotate and impart a twist in each thread 131, 132, 133. In addition the multi-filament individual yarns 134, 135, 136 are twisted together to form the strand 139 by the rotation of spin tube 125. Strand 139 may then be conducted through processing treatments, dried, separated, and collected as individual yarns in substantially the same manner as strand 29 was handled in Figure 1.

' In general, low twists per unit length are all that are required in order to maintain the unitary nature of the strand during processing; for example, one twist in every 200 inches is all that is required for strands processed at speeds of from 60 to meters per minute. However, it is important that the speed of rotation of the take-up apparatus 40 be so coordinated with the speed of rotation of the supply creel 13 or spinnerette holders 100, that the twists put in the strand for processing be removed. This means a precise control so that not only will there be no twist left in the yarn which would accumulate and cause faulty separation but also no counter twist will result which would be as equally troublesome. The speed of rotation of the take-up apparatus 40 can be quickly and easily adjusted by means of the variable speed reduction unit 49 and once adjusted needs no further attention unless there is a substantial change in the processing condition.

The separation of the strand 29 into the individual yarns 21, 22, 23 at the thread guide 62 may be accomplished by anyone of several commonly used methods. If the strand is supplied as shown in Figure 3 with no twist imparted to the individual yarns, the separation of the individual yarns after the twist is removed from the strand may be accomplished by applying a fugitive dye or imparting a distinguishing characteristic (e.g., crimp, etc.) to one or more of the yarns so that the separate yarns may be identified and manually separated after they have been processed. If the strand is supplied as shown in Figure l or Figure 5 with each of the individual yarns twisted in addition to the twist in the strand, the separation may be readily accomplished by several methods. One method successfully utilized is to thrust a sharp pointed instrument, such as a pin, into the travelling strand after it is untwisted to effect a backing up of the identifying twist in the component yarns at the point the strand is pierced. This backed up twist substantially entwines the filaments of the particular yarn and groups them for separation from the remaining individual yarns. Another method is one where the untwisted strand is flattened while running over an arcuate or convex surface under a slight tension, the spread filaments are grouped by the twist in the individual component yarns and the interjection of a pin more readily divides out each yarn. Subsequent repetitions of these methods results in the separation of the strand into all of its component yarns for individual collection in yarn packages.

With the present invention a plurality of individual yarns may be completely processed as a single strand and then collected separately as if they had been individually treated. This method of handling provides a more economical utilization of processing equipment in that a larger amount of finished yarn may be produced by the same apparatus. Also. fine denier yarns which require special handling to prevent filament breaks and equipment stoppages may be combined to form a strand of standard denier which may be processed without special' handling.

While the invention has been described with reference to a specific embodiment of the apparatus it is not to be restricted to this specific embodiment and the fact that three yarns have been shown does not mean the strand is to be limited to that number.

What is claimed is:

l. The continuous method of handling a plurality of yarns comprising. combining the yarns into a strand, twisting the strand, subjecting the strand to liquid treatment and drying, then untwisting the strand, separating the strand into the component yarns. and collecting said yarns individually.

2. The continuous method of handling a plurality of yarns comprising, combining the yarns into a strand, twisting the strand, forming the strand into a helix and subjecting it to liquid treatment and drying, then untwisting the strand, separating the strand into the component yarns, and collecting said yarns individually.

3. The continuous'method of handling a plurality of yarns-comprising, altering the physical character of the individual yarns to identify said yarns for separation prior to collection, combining the yarns into a strand, twisting the strand, subjecting the strand to liquid treatment and drying, then untwisting the strand, separating the strand into the component yarns, and collecting said yarns individually.

4. Thecontinuous method of handling a plurality of yarns comprising. altering the physical character of the individual yarns to identify said yarns for separation prior to collection, combining the yarns into a strand, twisting the strand, forming the strand into a helix and subjecting it to liquid treatment and drying, then untwisting the strand, separating the strand into the component yarns, and collecting said yarns individually.

5. The continuous method of handling a plurality of yarns comprising, twisting each individual yarn, combining the twisted yarns into a strand, twisting the strand, subjecting the strand to liquid treatment and drying, then untwisting the strand, separating the strand into the component twisted yarns, and collecting said twisted yarns individually.

6. The continuous method of handling a plurality of yarns comprising, temporarily chemically altering the physical character of the individual yarns to identify said yarns for separation prior to collection, combining the yarns into a strand, twisting the strand, subjecting the strand to. liquid treatment and drying, then untwisting the strand, separating the strand into the component yarns, and collecting said yarns individually.

7. The continuous method of handling a plurality of yarns comprising, temporarily chemically altering the physical character of the individual yarns to identify said yarns for separation prior to collection, combining the yarns into a strand, twisting the strand, forming the strand into a helix and subjecting it to liquid treatment and drying, then untwisting the strand, separating the strand into thecomponent yarns, and collecting said yarns individually.

8. The continuous method of handling a plurality of yarns comprising, temporarily altering the physical character of the individual yarns to identify said yarns for separation prion to collection, combining the yarns into a strand, twisting the strand, subjecting the strand to liquid treatment and drying, then untwisting the strand, separating the strand into the component yarns, discontinuing the temporary alteration to the physical character of the individual yarns, and collecting said yarns individually.

9. An apparatus for handling a plurality of yarns during processing comprising, a source of a plurality of yarns,

ill

means for altering the physical character of each yarn front said source to identify said yarn for separation prior to collection, means for combining said yarns into a strand. means for imparting a twist into said strand, means for liquid treatment and drying of said strand, means for untwisting said strand. and means for collecting said yarns individually.

ll). An apparatus for handling a plurality of yarns during'proccssing cmnprising. a source of aplurality of yarns, means for altering lliepliysical character of each yarn from said source to identity said yarn for separation prior to collection. means for combining said yarns into a strand, means [or imparting a twist to said strand, at least one thread-storing thrcarlnulvancing device over which said strand passes for the processing of said strand, means for untwisting said strand after it leaves said threadadvancing device. and means for collecting said yarns individually.

l I. An apparatus for handling aplurality of yarns during processing comprising. a source of a plurality of yarns, means for imparting It twist into each yarn of said plurality of yarns, means for combining said twisted yarns into a strand, means for imparting a twist into said strand, means for liquid treatment and drying of said strand, means for untwisting said strand, and means for collecting the yarns from said untwisted strand individually.

12. An apparatus for handling a plurality of yarns durin; processing comprising, a source of a plurality of yarns, means for imparting :t twist into each yarn of said plurality of yarns, means for combining said twisted yarns into a strand, means for imparting a twist into said strand, at least one threadstoring thread-advancing device over which said strand passes for the processing of said strand, means for tmtv/isting said strand after it leaves said thread-advancing device, and means for collecting the yarns from said uutwistcd strand individually.

13. An apparatus as characterized in claim 11, in which the means for untwisting said strand and the means for collecting the yarns from said untwisted strand comprises, a central strand guide means, a plurality of individual yarn guide means rotating circumferentially about the axis of said central strand guide means, and a plurality of individual yarn collecting means associated and rotating with said individual yarn guide means.

14. An apparatus as characterized in claim 11, in which the means for untwisting said strand and the means for collecting the yarns from said untwisted strand comprises, a plurality of individual yarn guide means supported by and adapted to rotate about a central support at a rate to untwist said strand, a strand guiding means positioned on the axis of rotation and above said central support, and a plurality of yarn collecting means associated with said plurality of individual yarn guide means.

15. An apparatus for handling a plurality of yarns during processing comprising, a source of a plurality of yarns, a means for imparting a twist into each yarn of said plurality of yarns, means for combining said twisted yarns into a strand, means for imparting a twist into said strand, means for liquid treatment and drying of said strand, a central strand guide means, a plurality of individual yarn guide means rotating circumfcrentially about said central strand guide means at a. rate to untwist said strand, and a plurality of individual yarn collecting means associated and rotating with said individual yarn guide means.

References (ited in the file of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS 1,887,207 Klein Nov. 8, 1932 2,046,670 Bcattey s July 7, 1936 2,11l,2(l9 Dreyfus Mar. 15, 1938 2,lll,2ll Finlayson ct al Mar. 15, 1938 2,162,728 Kncbusch ct al June 20, 1939 2,715,753 Mcl.ellan Aug. 23, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 264,646 Great Britain Jan. 27, 1927 

